Quote:
Originally Posted by Mxfrank
So I've also given this a lot of thought. A few gotchas to consider:
1) Do you need to remove any trees? I live in a forest, so this is a big problem for me.
2) What happens to your note if you decide to sell the house?
3) Will the system work in a blackout? Oddly, many installations won't work off-grid.
4) Is your payback tied to selling excess power back to the utility? This may turn into a problem, as the rate paid by the utility may end up being different from the rate it charges. Net metering will become more controversial as more solar homes join the grid.
5) Will you have a battery to carry you through the night? The battery won't last 25 years.
6) How will you access the roof? I need to walk the roof a couple of times a year to clear leaves from the gutters and wash the skylights.
7) What is the expected maintenance cost? I have doubts about a 25 year warranty offered by a two year old company.
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1. No. At least not yet. They have to do a site survey to confirm but they are saying the offset can be guaranteed as is.
2. The note is fully transferable.
3. No it will not. There is no battery back up (purchased separately) but I have a 18kW generator in case of power failures.
4. Not sure I understand the question. They are quoting a system that will produce about 22kW over the year. I use about 21kW. So I should about break even. An shortage will be covered by the company (I do need to figure out at what rate).
5. See #3
6. Never been on the roof in 12 yrs. Single story house so gutter access is from a ladder, not the roof.